red in the fabric. The entire frame, dislodged from its hook, crashed to the marble hearth b

ed sile

roze. Maria let out a

ort, sharp scream escaped her lips before she c

, her voice shaking with manufactured panic. "Maria, call Mr. Reynolds.

aunders family's chief steward, the iron-fisted enfo

lity of the situation hit her. She lunged at A

he hissed. "You t

mmotion. He stopped dead, his eyes fixed on

haking finger at Anabel. "Clark! It was her! Anabe

r arm from Kathryn's grasp. She turned to Clark

voice breaking. "I thought Kathryn was watching him... I

lame onto Kathryn for her fail

ood froz

earby console table rang. Maria answered it, her face gr

" she said, her voi

ok the phone, her hand trembling. Anabel couldn't hear the

us minute, Kathryn hu

uence of her gross irresponsibility, her access to the Saunders family trust fund

ered Madonna of the Saunde

but it was useless. An ord

er eyes burning with a hatr

e, her expression one of

narled at her, his frustrati

r rolled down her cheek. "What did I do wrong?" sh

s. Defeated, he turned and put a comforting arm around

ng room, looking at the destroyed fak

ound w